Rick Warren's Blog, page 604

Forgive Because God Forgave You

We will all be hurt in this life. Many times we���ll be hurt intentionally by what people say about us or what people do to us. In fact, any time we read the word ���forgiveness��� we instantly call to mind certain heartaches, hurts, and problems from our past. The memories are still fresh because we���ve been hurt very deeply.

How Do You Treat People Who Serve You?

One of the greatest tests of your character is how you treat people who are trying to serve you. Whether it���s a waitress, a waiter, a clerk, an employee, a secretary, your children, or your spouse, how you treat those who serve you tells me a great deal about you.

Four Secrets to Answered Prayer

Here are four secrets to answered prayer from the life of Nehemiah:

1. Base your request on God���s character. Pray like you know God will answer you: ���I���m expecting you to answer this prayer because of who you are. You are a faithful God. You are a great God. You are a loving God. You are a wonderful God. You can handle this problem, God!���

Four Steps to Fighting Spiritual Warfare

There are four things we need to do when we are battling spiritual warfare in our lives:

1. Acknowledge the adversary. Satan is real (1 Peter 5:8-9). Why would God send his Son to fight what does not exist? The Bible says in 1 John 3:8, ���The Son of God came to destroy these works of the Devil��� (NLT).

You Can Disagree Without Being Disagreeable

Many people, including Christians, think they only have to show respect for people with whom they agree. Nothing could be further from the truth. As a believer in today���s world, there are many activities in our society that I abhor and actions with which I clearly disagree.

Every Person Is Worthy of Respect

Respect has become an endangered value over the past few decades. We live in the ���Age of Irreverence,��� where sarcasm rules the day and everyone loves a good put down.

What Should You Do on the Sabbath?

We all must make a conscious decision to make time for things other than work. If we don���t, we���ll never rest. I make a conscious decision about how many hours I���ll work each week, and I stick to it. I encourage everyone to do the same thing. Otherwise, we���ll quickly burn out.

You���re Not God ��� Stop Acting Like It!

You���re not God. You don���t have all the answers. You can���t do everything. If you���re struggling to find balance in your life, that one admission can transform everything.

The Bible says, ���Only someone too stupid to find his way home would wear himself out with work��� (Ecclesiastes 10:15 GNT).

The Key to a Balanced Life: Jesus

If you want to live a truly balanced life, you can only look at one person in all of history as a model: Jesus. If you put him at the center of your life, your life will be more balanced.

Your Work and Your Worth Are Two Different Things

We can come up with many excuses for overworking. Sometimes we blame it on providing for our family. Other times we insist our work is so important that to slow down would be negligent.